Closure assemby

ABSTRACT

A closure assembly comprising a two-part closure having a metal panel or disc ( 2 ) and a ring ( 3 ), and a container such as a glass jar ( 20 ). The ring ( 3 ) is substantially cylindrical with an axially upwardly extending sidewall and has a radially inwardly extending lower edge. The jar ( 20 ) terminates in a radially outwardly extending beaded rim ( 16 ) and the disc ( 2 ) has a curled circumference ( 8 ) such that this curl ( 8 ) co-operates with the beaded rim ( 16 ) of the container to provide a primary seal. In one example, in a metal ring ( 3 ), the lower edge is curled with equally spaced lugs ( 13 ) on the skirt wall. In a plastic ring, the upper rim feature may be omitted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a closure assembly and also to a closure foruse in such an assembly. The closure assembly comprises a container,which usually includes an engagement feature such as threads, and aclosure. The closure is a two-part type of closure, which comprises aninner cap or disc part, and a ring or skirt part.

Typically the closure is used with a container for packaging food stuffssuch as pickles, tomato based products, fruit juice or baby food. Such aclosure is often referred to as a lid or cap and engages or disengageswith the container for closing or opening respectively. In one aspectthe invention also relates to a sub-assembly of the threaded containerand the ring part of the closure.

BACKGROUND ART

Known two-part closures comprise a cap or disc which is held onto acontainer by a skirt, which is sometimes referred to as a ring, or by anovercap. The two parts may be of the same material, or differentmaterials as in a combination closure or “combo-cap” which uses a metaldisc and a plastic skirt. The skirt often defines threads or lugs, whichcooperate with complementary features on a container neck. Sealingmaterial is conventionally applied to the disc to form a seal betweenthe disc and the mouth of the container.

There are many examples of two-part closures, of which U.S. Pat. No.3,466,381 A (PODESTA ET AL) is one of the older examples. That patentdescribes a two-part metallic cap with a separate disc and “sleeve-like”skirt. Another two-piece metallic cap from the same inventor is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 3,836,033 A (PODESTA) The metallic disc in that patentmoves between concave and convex configurations. Both of these closurescan be used for containers such as glass bottles, pots and the like.

It has also been popular to provide screw threads or lugs on the skirt,whether this is of metal or of plastics material. For example, the skirtmay be part of a threaded outer cap, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,163 B(ERNST) in which the outer cap prises the inner cap off the containerduring unscrewing. This is particularly useful when the closure is usedfor the packaging of food products, which during processing “pull” anegative pressure, often called a “vacuum”. This vacuum creates asubstantial resistance to opening. The two-piece cap of EP 1686070 A(PLATO PRODUCT CONSULTANTS V.O.F.) has a special feature to reducetorque on opening. This feature is similar to a dimple, which duringopening, pushes up a disc-shaped inner cap to overcome the forcesbetween jar and closure, which create the sealing of the package.

The 2-piece closure design allows the breaking of the container seal tobe controlled. The initial twisting of the skirt is sometimes used toactivate a tamper-evident feature, such as breaking a tamper-evidentband, whilst the disc remains sealed to the container. Thereafter, afurther feature may be provided on the skirt to prise the disc from thecontainer, thereby breaking the seal between the disc and the containerto equalise any difference between the internal pressure in thecontainer and the external environment. This 2-stage opening reduces thetorque required to open the closure and allows the closure to be removedmore easily.

Although known features such as those described above can reduce theforce necessary to break vacuum, there are still problems inherent inthe combined opening force requirements of unscrewing and breaking thevacuum. This invention seeks to overcome those problems.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a two-part closurehaving a metal panel or disc and a ring or “skirt” and being adapted foruse with a container (20), in which: the ring or skirt comprises aradially inwardly extending pry-off feature on a substantiallycylindrical sidewall; and the metal panel or disc comprises a centrepanel, a shoulder and a feature, which is typically a snap-fit feature,for engaging with the rim of the container to form a seal.

The ring part of a closure of this type of assembly may be applied tothe container before the container is closed using the panel part.Likewise, it may not be necessary to remove the ring completely or withthe panel in order to open the container and remove its contents.

Preferably, the pry-off feature comprises continuous or discontinuouscircumferential beads or lugs, which may also be arranged to engage withhelical features on the sidewall of the container for rotating of thering on the sidewall.

The pry-off feature on the closure ring or skirt may be adapted torelease the metal panel or disc by breaking the seal between the panelfeature and the container edge.

The feature on the panel may comprise a radially inwardly curled edge,which co-operates with the rim of the container as a snap-fit feature.The curled edge is preferably in the range of 0.4-1.0 mm radius. Thealternative term to panel which is used herein, i.e. “disc”, is used todefine the whole of an inner cap component and is not intended to inferthat that component is simply a thin circular component. The disc may beprofiled for sealing a container to which the closure is attached.

Preferably, the container includes a bead and the panel's curled edge,in use, fits over the bead. The container bead assists retention of thepanel part. The curled edge of the panel may be an inward or an outwardcurl, and may include undulations and/or pleats.

The container may be a jar or bottle (of glass or plastics material) oreven a metal can, and although a usual use for the closure of theinvention would be with a glass jar used for packaging foodstuffs, theexpressions are used interchangeably in this application.

The two parts of the closure may be provided separately, and the ring orskirt part assembled to the container as a sub-assembly. Clearly whenthe ring is pre-assembled to the container, it must be profiled suchthat the panel can close the container in a separate subsequentoperation. For this sub-assembly, the ring does not have an inwardlyprojecting rim.

An advantage of the ring of the present invention is that there is noneed to rotate any part of the closure or jar during capping, providedthat the ring is positioned with its lugs below the jar thread. Simplerand more reliable high-speed capping than that of conventional twistclosures can thus be achieved. The ring may also be easily removed fromthe jar after use to assist recycling.

Another alternative ring may be provided that has an inwardly projectinglower rim. This lower rim may be used to retain the ring on the jar,which is especially useful if the ring is to be applied to the jarbefore it is filled and closed using the panel part. The shape andflexibility of the ring is adjustable to allow the ring to be removedfrom the jar to assist recycling.

This ring may be made of either metal or plastic material, and the outersurfaces may be knurled or shaped to assist grip by consumers for easeof opening. The use of this type of ring also permits the consumer tomore easily re-close the container by simply pushing the panel down ontothe jar, without need for twisting.

In a further aspect of the invention, which provides a method ofattaching the ring to the container or jar, filling the container/jarand closing the container/jar with the panel, the method could involveproviding the sub-assembly to the filler who would then fill thecontainer/jar and add the panel prior to processing.

The sidewall of the ring may extend axially and vertically beyond thedisc whereby, in use, the disc is protected.

The pry-off feature may be situated at a distance from the top edge ofthe ring and, most importantly, spaced from the snap-fit feature of thedisc when, in use, the closure is in its closed position on a container.

In a preferred embodiment, the metal panel comprises DR (double reducedtinplate or ECCS in the range of 500-600 Nmm⁻² and thickness rangingbetween 0.13 mm and 0.2 mm. The material is normally selected to providesuitable panel strength when subjected to pressure and vacuum during andafter food processing. When the ring is of metal, the ranges may be thesame as for the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are partial side sections of an all-metal closure withan annular projection on the wall of its skirt;

FIG. 2 is a partial side section through a curl of a closure with plainwall;

FIG. 3 is a partial side section through a lug of the closure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an underplan view showing four lugs;

FIG. 5 is a partial side section through a curl of an alternativeclosure with an outward disc curl;

FIG. 6 is the partial side section of FIG. 5 through a lug of theclosure;

FIG. 7 is a partial side section through the curl of the closure ofFIGS. 2 and 3 in closed position on a jar;

FIG. 8 is a partial side section through a lug of the closure of FIGS. 2and 3 in closed position on a jar;

FIG. 9 is a partial side section through the curl of the closure ofFIGS. 2 and 3, above a jar after opening;

FIG. 10 a partial side section through a lug of the closure of FIGS. 2and 3, above a jar after opening;

FIG. 11 is a partial side section through a curl of a closure with anoutward curl on the disc;

FIG. 12 is a partial side section through a curl of a closure, with thetop of the ring above the disc;

FIG. 13 is a partial side section through a lug of the closure of FIG.12;

FIGS. 14a and 14b are perspective views of a closure ring and closurewith four inwardly projecting rim portions opposite gaps between lugs;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a disc having flats;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the disc of FIG. 15, fitted in a ring.

FIGS. 17 a to f are views of an alternative ring and a closed jar andsectional views of a jar and closure with the ring;

FIGS. 18 a to f are views of a further alternative ring and a closed jarand sectional views of a jar and closure with the ring;

FIG. 19 is a cross section similar to that of FIG. 17 with a ring madeof metal; and

FIG. 20 is a cross section similar to that of FIG. 18 with a ring madeof metal.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side sections of a two-part closure manufactured forexample in accordance with unpublished patent applicationPCT/EP2007/061744. Alternatively, the ring could be manufacturedseparately by techniques such as welding (e.g. laser welding),extrusion, or by using tubing. This of course means that the ring is notnecessarily formed from metal. The closure comprises a metal disc 30,having its cut edge protected by a curl 32, and a circumferential ring40. The disc 30 is trapped within the ring 40 by two curls 42, 43 at theopposed axial ends of the ring. FIG. 1A is a section through a curl 43and FIG. 1B is a section through a lug 44.

A retention feature, or features 45 is/are provided to position the disc30 loosely within the ring 40, whilst allowing the disc 30 freedom tomove rotationally relative to the ring 40 and limiting axial movement.The retention feature 45 may take the form of spaced projections aroundthe circumference of the ring 40, or alternatively may be provided by acircumferential bead, either full or segmented. A channel 34 is providedabout the inside periphery of the disc 30 and this channel is used tohold sealing material 36. The provision of the channel 34 ensures properlocation of the sealing material to interface with the neck of acontainer 50 and also reduces the quantity of sealing material 36because of its better and more accurate distribution. A portion ofthread 52 is also shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. For opening, unscrewing ofthe closure causes lugs 44 to move over threads 52, causing retentionfeature 45 to push upwards against disc curl 32, thereby raising thedisc 30 from the container 50.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an all-metal two-part closure 1 having a disc part 2and a skirt or ring part 3. Disc 2 has a central panel 4, surrounded byupwardly extending groove 5, shoulder 6, annulus 7 and terminating ininward curl 8. The groove 5 is profiled so as to retain sealing materialor material 9, in this example from the edge of central panel 4 to thecurl 8.

The skirt 3 of FIGS. 2 and 3 has inward curls 11 and 12 at both upperand lower ends and lugs 13 (typically four, equi-spaced) around thelower edge. The lugs 13 are shown most clearly in the underplan view ofFIG. 4. The top of the skirt (ring) in FIGS. 2 and 3 is below the levelof the top of the channel 5, so that this embodiment is sometimesreferred to as “ring below disc” or “disc over ring”.

This ring below disc configuration has a smooth feel. When the closureis used to close a filled container, there is less risk of scuffing ofthe ring. An alternative ring below disc closure may have the disc panelextending outside the top curl of the ring.

When the container is a glass jar which is closed by the ring below discclosure, it is well suited for stacking. The top of the closure may nestwith a stacking bead around the bottom rim of the jar above.

In its form independently of any container, the disc 2 is free to movebetween a lower position when the curl on the disc abuts curl 12 and/orlug 13, and an upper position, as shown, when the disc abuts curl 11.The shoulder 6 of the disc of FIGS. 2 and 3 contacts upper curl 11.Sealing material 9 could of course be contained more locally by shapingthe disc.

Either curl may be inward or outward (reversed), with the ring above orbelow the panel. The curls may be partly or fully closed, rest on or infeatures of the disc 2 or ring 3, or other possible variants. In onearrangement, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the disc curl 8 may be outwardand the top curl 11 may be inward, such that the surface of the ringcurl 11 that was originally on one side (preferably the decorated side)of the metal sheet contacts the surface of the disc curl 8 that wasoriginally on the other side of the metal sheet. In this arrangement thecontacting surfaces may have different coatings or one may not be coatedat all, in order to avoid similar coatings sticking to one another, andthe possibly undecorated surface of the outside of the disc curl 8 maybe hidden from view when looking from the outside of the closure. FIG. 5shows the inward top curl 11 resting on the outward disc curl 8 at asection through the lower curl 12 and FIG. 6 shows the same closure at asection through the lower lug 13.

Many features of the closures become more clear when closures are usedto close a container. Although any screw container could be closed byany closure according to the invention, the drawings of FIGS. 7 to 10show a glass jar, which has very distinct threads.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the closure of FIGS. 2 and 3, closing a glass jar 20.When the closure is applied to a glass jar, the top of the jar pressesinto sealing material 9 forming an imprint and improved seal 10. Theskirt (ring) is rotated and the lug 13 is moved under the thread 21 topull the disc down.

The relative positions of improved seal 10, underside of disc rim 24 andinwardly projecting lug 13 can be seen in FIG. 8. The seal is defined bythat part of the sealing material 9 imprinted by the jar 20.

In the closed position of FIGS. 7 and 8, shoulder 6 presses againstupper curl 11 on the skirt, and lugs 13 press against the underside ofthreads 21. In the closed position of FIG. 8, the lug is under thethread of the glass jar, effectively pulling the disc into place andsqueezing the sealing material.

Counter-rotation of the ring causes the lugs to move to positions abovethe adjacent threads and application of further torque causes lifting ofthe disc and full opening of the closure (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In theopen position, the user has rotated the ring such that the lug 13 is nowresting on top of the thread portion 21 (FIG. 10) and the adjacentportion of the bottom curl 12 has moved to contact the bottom of thedisc curl 8 (FIG. 9). Moving the curls into contact with each otherraises the disc, thereby breaking the seal.

In the final position of FIG. 10, a lug 13 contacts screw thread 21 atposition ‘X’. In FIG. 9, the contact point of curls 8 and 12 is shown as‘Y’. The effective lug thickness, which is the axial distance between Xand Y, is distance ‘A’. The axial (vertical) distance from the uppermostpart ‘Z’ of compressed material (seal 10) to the bottom of disc curl 8is ‘B’. The distance from the glass finish (top of the container) to thetop of thread 21 is ‘C’.

In order for the seal to be broken, it is necessary for the sum ofdistances A+B to be greater than distance C.

An alternative version as shown in FIG. 11 has an outward curl 8′. FIG.11 also shows how the sealing material 9 may be contained more locallyby shaping the disc 2 into two parts: an upper annulus or horizontalportion 7 a adjacent the shoulder 6 and a depending or vertical portion7 b, which terminates in an outward curl 8′. This is, of course anoption which may be used in any of the other embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 11 shows the ring above the level of the top of groove 5 as it isin a “ring over disc” closure.

The embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, which is also of the “ring over disc”type, has a disc with inward curl 8, inclined shoulder 6 and single partannulus 7. The “ring over disc” closures have uppermost part of disc 3lower than the top of the skirt, which may assist tightening of theskirt during closing. Over-tightening of the container may be avoided byflexing of the skirt in combination with the disc and at most the skirtwill become level with the disc.

It is conventional to provide curls where an exposed edge of cut metalmight otherwise be dangerous during handling, to obscure edges forcosmetic purposes, or to protect against corrosion.

Although the embodiments of closure shown in FIGS. 2 to 13 have allmetal forms, it is clearly possible to have a metal disc and a plasticskirt. This enables the form shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b to be made moreeasily, although it could still be made from metal. FIG. 14a shows theskirt 3′ alone. The top projection 11′ is in four parts, with lugs 13positioned below gaps between projections 11′. If the skirt 3′ is madefrom plastic, the ejection of the skirt from the mould is easier, as isinsertion of the metal disc 2 into the more flexible skirt.

Other features, which the closure may include, are flats or similarundulations 14 around the disc which form gaps 15 when inserted in skirt3 (FIGS. 15 and 16). This provides a ventilation path and drying of thespaces between the skirt, disc and container is improved after filling.

The closure assembly of FIG. 17 is shown in a schematic manner only butis intended to include many of the options of FIGS. 2 to 16. The closuredisc of FIG. 17 is adapted to cooperate with the container such as a jarfor sealing and does not rely on any upper projection of the ring. It isnot necessary to insert the disc within the ring before applying thering to the threaded container. In fact the ring may be applied, forexample by screwing onto the container before closing and may remain onthe container even after it has served its function of lifting the discfor opening.

Thus, FIG. 17a shows a ring 3 of plastics material but similar to theplan view of FIG. 4, which has no inwardly projecting upper rim. FIG.17b shows an assembly of the ring of FIG. 17a with a panel 2 and a jar20. The upper rim of ring 3 extends substantially vertically without anyaxial contact, and no or minimal radial, contact with the disc shoulder.This has the effect that the closure assembly can include features ofeither the “ring over disc” or “ring below disc” types of the earlierembodiments. The choice of ring sidewall height depends purely onwhether it is more important to prevent damage or dislodging of the discor panel 2, in which case the ring 3 will extend axially beyond the discposition, or to avoid scuffing of the ring, in which case the ringsidewall will be lower than the disc 2.

The panel or disc 2 is of metal and has a snap-fit feature such as acurled edge 8 as shown in the sections of FIGS. 17d and 17e . As before,the disc is not simply a thin circular component but includes a profile5 suitable for containing sealing compound 9 if desired for sealing acontainer such as glass jar 20. The jar 20 includes a beaded edge 16over which the curl of the disc/panel 2 may fit (“snap fit”) to assistretention of the panel to the jar when closed. For optimum retention,the curl 8 is curled radially inwardly as shown and the curl is at least360° so as to avoid corrosion of the exposed cut edge of the metal. Anoutward curl could still function in the same way but would requirefurther shaping so as to tuck under the bead 21. Of course, this curlededge may include undulations and/or pleats 14 as shown in FIG. 15, whichmay provide flexibility and assist retention of the panel over the bead.Alternatively, the features 14 can remain outside the sealing surfaceoutside diameter so that sealing is not compromised.

The groove or annulus 5 in the metal disc forms a channel, which isprofiled for optimum retention of sealing compound 9 as is also shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the material 9 for sealingmay be at least partially pre-formed so as to contact around the sealingsurface at the top of the jar. This pre-forming is also of assistancewhere the sealing is either only obtained by holding under retentionbead 16 at the top of the jar, or by whatever additional negativepressure arises when food contents within the jar 20 are processed and“pull” a vacuum. In the absence of any ring feature to pull the discdown further onto the jar, it can be useful for an imprint already to bemade in the sealing compound by mechanical means during application ofthe disc to the jar. What is essential to the embodiment of FIG. 17 isthat the disc 2 cooperates with the jar rather than with the ring forprimary sealing.

FIG. 17c shows a cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 17b in a closedposition, and FIGS. 17d and 17e are detailed views of the cross-sectionin closed and opened positions respectively. In the closed position ofFIG. 17d , projection 13 is below and engaged with screw thread 21. Inthe open position of FIG. 17e projection 13 is on top of the thread 21,positioned for “prying-off” (lifting) the disc by contact with curl 8.The ring 3 of FIG. 17 is of plastics material and is shown in a veryschematic manner with a simple cylindrical sidewall or skirt and inwardprojection 13 at its lower end.

Whilst FIG. 17d shows the projection 13 of the ring in a preferredposition below the thread of the closed jar, it is not necessary for theprojection to be positioned below the thread because the retaining bead16 and/or the vacuum within the jar may be sufficient to hold the panel2. The projections or lugs serve the function of lifting the disc 2 fromthe jar by axial contact with the edge of disc 2 as the ring is movedaxially, for example by unscrewing.

As noted above, it is possible firstly to assemble the ring to the jaras is shown for example in FIG. 17f . In this embodiment, the jar has anadditional portion of increased diameter 18 to secure and limit thelowermost position of the ring by screwing the ring downwards until thelugs contact portion 18. The portion of increased diameter may be a beadas shown in FIG. 17 or may more simply be a shoulder on the jar. Withthe ring already assembled to the jar it is possible to simplify theclosing of the jar, by simply pushing the panel downwards. This alsoprovides the pre-forming of the sealing compound, if necessary.

The embodiment of FIG. 17 thus includes many of the features of theearlier figures but functions by co-operation of the disc with the jar,for closing, and with the ring, for opening.

As the ring may be of metal or plastics material, a wide range ofpossibilities present themselves for projection 13. For example, theprojection 13 may be inwardly projecting lugs as in the metal ring ofFIGS. 6 and 8. Alternatively, the projections can be moulded as in theplastic ring of FIG. 14.

It is also possible for there to be projections both in the form of lugsand also further projections positioned further “up” the sidewall of theskirt as shown in FIG. 18. The latter projections 14 act as the pry-offfeature(s) whereas the lug-type of projections 17 allow rotation of thering up a helical profile on the container sidewall.

The pry-off feature 14 is positioned below the snap-feature of the metalpanel and, in use, lug-style projections 17 can serve not only to engagewith helical features on the container sidewall but also to pry-off thedisc by release of the snap-fit seal.

FIG. 18a shows a ring that has an inwardly projecting lower rim 17, andFIG. 18b is an assembly of that ring with a panel and a jar. FIG. 18cshows a cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 18b in a closed position,and FIGS. 18d and 18e are detailed views of the cross-section in closedand opened positions respectively. As in FIG. 17, the jar has a bead 16over which the curl on the panel fits to assist retention of the panelto the jar when closed.

In FIG. 18, the jar has an additional portion of increased diameter(here shown as bead 18) which secures and limits the lowermost positionof the ring, by screwing the ring downwards until the lower rim 17contacts the additional portion 18. The bead as shown in FIG. 18 couldalternatively and more simply be a shoulder on the container.

Whilst FIG. 18d shows the lug of the ring below the thread of the closedjar, it is not necessary for the lug to be positioned below the threadif the panel is held by the retaining bead and/or the vacuum within thejar. It is also possible firstly to assemble the ring to the jar as isshown in FIG. 18f , by flexing the ring and pushing the lower rim 17over the jar threads. With the ring already assembled to the jar,closing of the jar can be simplified, by simply pushing the paneldownwards.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show enlarged cross sections of a top part of a closedjar in which the ring of FIG. 17d has been replaced by a ring 3′ made ofthin sheet metal and where the ring of FIG. 18d has been replaced by aring 4′ made of thin sheet metal, respectively.

Although the invention has predominantly been described with referenceto an all-metal closure and a glass jar, the scope of the invention isalso intended to include changes and modifications to materials etc andnumbers of features such as lugs, as defined by the scope of the claims.

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A container and two-part closure combination, thecombination comprising: a container having a neck about which a screwthread is disposed; and a two-part closure, the two-part closurecomprising: a disc having a center panel, a shoulder disposed about thecenter panel, and a feature extending from the shoulder, the featureconfigured to engage with the neck of the container in a snap-fitrelationship; and a ring disposed about the disc, the ring having aprojection that extends radially inwardly, the projection having abottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, the bottomsurface configured to engage the screw thread and the top surfaceconfigured to engage the feature so as to pry the feature over the bead.14. The container and two-part closure combination of claim 13, whereinthe feature is a skirt that depends downwardly from the shoulder, theskirt including a curl at its bottom end.
 15. The container and two-partclosure combination of claim 14, wherein the container neck defines anopen top end and the container neck has a bead that extends radiallyoutwardly from the open top end, the bead defining a first diameter, andwherein the feature has an inner surface that defines a second diameterthat is less than a first diameter.
 16. The container and two-partclosure combination of claim 14, wherein the projection extends from abottom portion of the ring.
 17. The container and two-part closurecombination of claim 14, wherein the projection is a first projectionthat extends from a top portion of the ring and the ring furtherincludes a second projection that extends from a bottom portion of thering.
 18. The container and two-part closure combination of claim 14,wherein the projection is discontinuous about a circumference of thedisc.
 19. The container and two-part closure combination of claim 14,wherein the curl is curled radially inwardly.
 20. The container andtwo-part closure combination of claim 14, wherein the curl is curledradially outwardly.
 21. The container and two-part closure combinationof claim 14, wherein the shoulder includes undulations or pleats thatextend circumferentially.
 22. The container and two-part closurecombination of claim 14, wherein the disc is metal and the ring isplastic.
 23. A two-part closure configured for use with a container, thecontainer having a neck about which a screw thread is disposed, theclosure comprising: a disc having a center panel, a shoulder disposedabout the center panel, and a feature extending from the shoulder, thefeature configured to engage with the neck of the container in asnap-fit relationship; and a ring disposed about the disc, the ringhaving a projection that extends radially inwardly, the projectionhaving a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface,the bottom surface configured to engage the screw thread and the topsurface configured to engage the feature so as to pry the feature overthe bead.
 24. The two-part closure of claim 23, wherein the feature is askirt that depends downwardly from the shoulder, the skirt including acurl at its bottom end.
 25. The two-part closure of claim 24, whereinthe container neck defines an open top end and the container neck has abead that extends radially outwardly from the open top end, the beaddefining a first diameter, and wherein the feature has an inner surfacethat defines a second diameter that is less than a first diameter. 26.The two-part closure of claim 24, wherein the projection extends from abottom portion of the ring.
 27. The two-part closure of claim 24,wherein the projection is a first projection that extends from a topportion of the ring and the ring further includes a second projectionthat extends from a bottom portion of the ring.
 28. The two-part closureof claim 24, wherein the projection is discontinuous about acircumference of the disc.
 29. The container and two-part closurecombination of claim 24, wherein the curled edge is curled radiallyinwardly.
 30. The container and two-part closure combination of claim24, wherein the curled edge is curled radially outwardly.
 31. Thetwo-part closure of claim 25, wherein the shoulder includes undulationsor pleats that extend circumferentially.
 32. The two-part closure ofclaim 25, wherein the disc is metal and the ring is plastic.
 33. Amethod of providing a container and two-part closure sub-assembly, themethod comprising: attaching a ring of the two-part closure to thecontainer to form the sub-assembly, the container having a neck aboutwhich a screw thread is disposed, and the ring having a projection thatextends radially inwardly, the attaching step including disposing theprojection below the screw thread; and supplying a disc of the two-partclosure, the disc having a center panel, a shoulder disposed about thecenter panel, and a feature extending from the shoulder, the featureconfigured to engage with the neck of the container in a snap-fitrelationship.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the feature is a skirtthat depends downwardly from the shoulder, the skirt including a curl atits bottom end.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the container neckdefines an open top end and the container neck has a bead that extendsradially outwardly from the open top end, the bead defining a firstdiameter, and wherein the feature has an inner surface that defines asecond diameter that is less than a first diameter.
 36. The method ofclaim 34, wherein the container and two-part closure are configured suchthat after the disc is used to close the container, the projection isconfigured to engage the screw thread and the annular flange so as topry the annular flange over the bead